Homie
Homie is a diagnostic sensor kit and connected app ecosystem that transforms invisible home health issues into visible, actionable insights through real-time insights into your home's air, moisture, and temperature. It turns data into action by offering DIY tips, connecting you with vetted professionals, and showing eligibility for grants.
With clarity and confidence, it helps you make smart, personalised home improvements that have lasting impact.
Conducting user research, developing insights & strategy, and designing visual systems.
Jan 2024 - July 2025
Overview
The UK's path to carbon neutrality runs directly through our living rooms. At least 80% of buildings that will be occupied in 2050 have already been constructed, rendering the UK housing stock amongst the least energy efficient in Europe. This isn't merely an environmental concern—it's a public health crisis with profound social justice implications.
For first-time homeowners and accidental landlords, this creates a perfect storm: soaring energy bills, invisible health risks, and complete uncertainty about sustainable improvements. Government grants exist, retrofit specialists are available, yet the connection between urgent need and practical solution remains frustratingly invisible.
1.5
million households trapped in fuel poverty
£1.4 b/ year
NHS costs from poor housing conditions
19.8%
of UK homes are new builds designed for energy efficiency
“With substantial resources being directed toward retrofit initiatives, innovations like these scanners are essential. They enable us to use funding more effectively, improving lives while supporting our sustainability commitments.”
Ealing Council
Research & Discovery
Through comprehensive research with 12 homeowners and 26 industry professionals across the UK housing sector, we uncovered a fundamental barrier: home sustainability issues remain hidden until they become crises.
Primary Research Findings
1. Inequity in Sustainability Climate injustice manifests locally through disparities in vulnerability and resource allocation.
2. Economic Determinism Financial viability remains the primary factor shaping stakeholder motivation, capacity, and willingness to adopt sustainable housing solutions. This creates a feedback loop where those most needing support are least able to access it.
3. Trust Deficit and Systemic Mistrust Widespread mistrust characterises relationships between homeowners, government support systems, and industry professionals. People increasingly question the reliability of sustainability initiatives and remain sceptical of 'green' companies' claims.
4. Functionality-Driven Methodology Limitations Existing approaches overly prioritise technology, assets, and policy frameworks whilst inadequately incorporating human-centred design principles, limiting the effectiveness and relevance of sustainability interventions.
Problem mapping
Co-design workshops with first-time homeowners provide us with key learnings:
DIY appeals for aesthetic improvements but not functional repairs
Materials and instructions weren't the missing link
Visibility and measurable urgency represented the primary barriers
Users preferred professional help for functional repairs but wanted self-exploration capabilities for decision-making
You can't fix what you can't see, and you won't trust what you can't understand."
The Visibility Hypothesis: "If you can see it, track it, and map it, then taking the next steps becomes clearer and easier."
Framing the opportunity
For service providers
How might we increase visibility for service providers by facilitating user friendly and engaging communication?
For service users
How might we reduce uncertainty for new homeowners by making their home health visible, measurable and actionable?
Solution strategy
Homie tacles Three Critical Barriers
Visibility Gap: Home health problems stay hidden until severe damage occurs
Trust Deficit: Widespread scepticism about green solutions and service providers
Complexity Overload: Jargon-heavy information overwhelms rather than empowers actionThe design process began with an assumption that DIY solutions could empower new homeowners. The team prototyped a draft-proofing kit, hypothesising that simplified materials and instructions would bridge the knowledge gap.
Homie transforms invisible home health problems into visible, actionable insights through an integrated diagnostic sensor kit and connected app ecosystem. The solution works across three strategic levels:
Design guiding principles
Individual Level: Passive sensors monitor air quality, temperature, and humidity, delivering friendly, contextual guidance: "Heat's on but not sticking? Might be a draft—check those window seals!"
Service Level: The 'Reformation' feature connects personalised home data with vetted retrofit professionals, displays grant eligibility, and enables direct booking through the app.
System Level: Aggregated anonymised data supports policy makers and researchers in improving retrofit strategies and grant programme design.
Key Features
Plug-and-play installation requiring no technical skills
Get you set up in minutes, no plugs, no wires, no stress.
Real-time home health dashboard with clear, jargon-free insights
Track your indoor environment, effortlessly. Monitor air quality, humidity, and more through weekly or daily views.
Curated marketplace prioritising green credentials and verified reviews
Find trusted experts. Explore service providers by needs like insulation, ventilation, heating, and more.
Book with confidence. View provider details, check availability, and read reviews all before confirming.
Government grant checker integrated with booking system
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